The evolution of means of production in rural India has significantly impacted poverty levels. Historically, traditional agriculture and artisanal production sustained rural communities. However, post-independence, particularly with the Green Revolution, the means of production shifted towards capital-intensive farming, involving high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. While this boosted agricultural output, it disproportionately benefited large landowners who could afford the new technologies, marginalizing small and marginal farmers. Many were pushed into indebtedness, leading to land alienation and increased landlessness. Concurrently, the decline of traditional crafts due to industrialization and globalization further eroded non-agricultural livelihoods. Modernization also brought mechanization, reducing demand for manual labor. These changes, coupled with market fluctuations, climate change impacts, and limited access to credit and fair prices, have created a vicious cycle for many rural households. The concentration of resources and benefits in the hands of a few, alongside the erosion of traditional safety nets and the lack of alternative employment opportunities, has exacerbated rural poverty, leading to distress migration and farmer suicides, despite overall economic growth.